Monte Carlo Masters: Djokovic Looks To Get On Track Against Sinner, Alcaraz
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Rafael Nadal will miss the Monte Carlo Masters but 18 of the Top 20 men will be in Monaco next week for the first big test of the 2024 European red clay season.
Novak Djokovic comes in coachless and titleless on the season and will look to hold the Monte Carlo trophy for the first time in nine years.
But the first two Masters winners, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, will be his top competition along with defending champion Andrey Rublev, 2-time winner Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.
Top seeds are: 1 Novak Djokovic, 2 Jannik Sinner, 3 Carlos Alcaraz, 4 Daniil Medvedev, 5 Alexander Zverev, 6 Andrey Rublev, 7 Holger Rune, 8 Casper Ruud, 9 Grigor Dimitrov, 10 Hubert Hurkacz, 11 Alex De Minaur, 12 Stefanos Tsitsipas, 13 Taylor Fritz, 14 Ugo Humbert, 15 Karen Khachanov and 16 Alexander Bublik.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC QUARTER
Seeds: 1 Djokovic, 6 Rublev, 11 De Minaur, 13 Fritz
Floaters: Musetti, Griekspoor, Mannarino, Fils, Wawrinka, afiullin, Koepfer
Notable openers: Arthur Fils-Adrian Mannarino, Lorenzo Musetti-Taylor Fritz, Alex De Minaur-Stan Wawrinka
Projected 3R matches: 1 Djokovic – 13 Fritz, 11 De Minaur – 6 Rublev
Notes: A tough draw for the world No. 1 with Roman Safiuillin and later Andrey Rublev. Djokovic could also see Arthur Fils or Lorenzo Musetti, who both play well on the clay. Rublev, who is defending those title points, could face Alex De Minaur in his third round. There are some very good openers in this section.
CARLOS ALCARAZ QUARTER
Seeds: 3 Alcaraz, 8 Ruud, 10 Hurkacz, 14 Humbert
Floaters: Auger Aliassime, Zhang, Draper
Notable openers: Zhizhen Zhang-Marcos Giron
Projected 3R matches: 3 Alcaraz – 14 Humbert, 10 Hurkacz – 8 Ruud
Notes: Could this be the year for Carlos Alcaraz to take Monte Carlo? Alcaraz will be the big favorite in all his matches and unless someone like Hubert Hurkacz, Ugo Humbert or Casper Ruud rise up, he’ll make the semifinals. Ruud and Hurkacz figure to meet to face the Spaniard in the quarters.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV QUARTER
Seeds: 4 Medvedev, 5 Zverev, 12 Tsitsipas, 15 Khachanov
Floaters: Norrie, Cerundolo, Jarry, Evans, Etcheverry, Monfils
Notable openers: Daniel Evans-Sebastian Ofner, Nicolas Jarry-Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Laslo Djere-Stefanos Tsitsipas, Karen Khachanov-Cameron Norrie, Gael Monfils-Jordan Thompson
Projected 3R matches: 5 Zverev – 12 Tsitsipas, 15 Khachanov – 4 Medvedev
Notes: An open section with lots of talent and firepower. Daniil Medvedev might be the favorite but former champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev will have their say. Zverev might have to beat Tsitsipas and then Medvedev just to make the semifinals.
JANNIK SINNER QUARTER
Seeds: 2 Sinner, 7 Rune, 9 Dimitrov, 16 Bublik,
Floaters: Coric, Davidovich Fokina, Struff, Korda, Berrettini, Kecmanovic, Baez, Arnaldi
Notable openers: Miomir Kecmanovic-Matteo Berrettini, Alexander Bublik-Borna Coric, Jan Lennard Struff-Sebastian Baez, Sebastian Korda-Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Projected 3R matches: 7 Rune – 9 Dimitrov, 16 Bublik – 2 Sinner
Notes: Monte Carlo betting favorite Jannik Sinner is favored for good reason. The Italian has won 23 of his 23 matches this year and has proven proficient on the slippery red dirt. Sinner, though, will likely have to work hard to continue his form with with either Sebstian Korda or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina right off the bat, and then later a collision with the hot-handed Grigor Dimitrov or Holger Rune. Dimitrov and struggling Rune could meet in a tasty third round. Rune made the finals last year.
Former champions: Novak Djokovic (2), Stan Wawrinka, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas (2)
Former finalists: Gael Monfils, Holger Rune, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Last year, (5) Andrey Rublev defeated (6) Holger Rune 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.
LAST 10 MONTE CARLO MASTERS CHAMPIONS/FINALS
2023 Andrey Rublev d. Holger Rune 5-7, 6-2, 7-5
2022 Stefanos Tsitsipas d. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6(3)
2021 Stefanos Tsitsipas d. Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-3
2019 Fabio Fognini d. Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4
2018 Rafael Nadal d. Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2
2017 Rafael Nadal d. Albert Ramos 6-1, 6-3
2016 Rafael Nadal d. Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0
2015 Novak Djokovic d. Tomas Berdych 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
2014 Stan Wawrinka d. Roger Federer 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2
2013 Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6(1)
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